Latch key holder

ABSTRACT

A key holder for retaining one or more latch keys has a flexible key holder member that retains its shape when formed into a loop. The key holder member is made of a sturdy cable encased in a sleeve to prevent damage to user&#39;s clothes. The key holder can freely rotate in relation to the carrier while the keys can rotate between a plurality of selected positions in relation to the key holder member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for holding keys and more particularly to a device for holding one or more latch keys in an easily accessible manners It is particularly applicable to the use of latch key cases to prevent damage to clothes or lining of a purse.

The use of key holders within key cases has been prevalent for many years wherever keys must be used and selected in an orderly manner, and carried where damage might occur to clothing or compactness is desirable. My earlier U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,003 discloses the use of a triangularly-shaped, rigid loop key holder secured on a backing with a looped member. The latch keys are removably positioned on the triangular key holder and are substantially enclosed by the backing when the backing is closed. The backing forms a key case that prevents damage to the pocket lining of a user by the keys.

Under some circumstances it is preferable to have a relatively sturdy but somewhat flexible key holder instead of a rigid key holder. This invention is directed to the provision of such a device a key case that would allow a greater flexibility, spacing, and ease of use of a selected key for its intended purpose than earlier designs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention, to provide a key holder device that allows to substantially enclose the latch keys by the key ring carrier.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a relatively flexible key ring that still retains its shape to allow sufficient spacing between the keys for rotation of the keys within the key holder member.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a key holder device that allows storage of the keys within the key holder in a relatively flat position when enclosed by the key holder case.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved through a provision of a key holder device for holding one or more keys, particularly latch keys that have openings in them at their bases. The key holder device comprises a flexible foldable carrier body having pre-determined lineal dimensions and an inner surface, a flexible key holder member capable of being formed into a loop-shaped form and capable of retaining the loop-shaped form without collapsing. The key holder member has a cable core, a sleeve substantially encasing said core, and a pair of securing members carried by opposing ends of the key holder member that are adapted for mutual engagement when forming a loop for retaining said one or more keys thereon.

A securing strip is positioned on the inner surface of the carrier body for securing the key holder member to the carrier body while allowing free rotation of the key holder member in relation to the carrier body. A universal pivot element secured to the securing strip allows the key holder cable to pass through the pivot member and thereby ensures free rotation of the key holder member in relation to the carrier member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will not be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the key holder device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the key holder body along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention with the backing carrier in a partially closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral 10 designates the latch key holder device in accordance with the present invention. The device l 0 comprises a carrier or backing 12 that can be elongated, as shown in FIG. 1 or other suitable shape. The carrier 12 is formed from a flexible material, such as leather, cloth and the like to allow the carrier to be folded in a substantially enclosing relationship over the latch keys. The carrier 12 has a first end 14 and a second end 16. The second end 16 can be cut to terminate at a narrow point, as shown in FIG. 1, or can be made straight. As shown in FIG. 3. The embodiment in FIG. 3 comprises the carrier 12 of a generally rectangular configuration.

A first locking member 18 is secured near the first end 14 and a second locking member 20 is secured near the second end 16. When the carrier is folded closed. the locking member 20 can detachably engage the locking member 18 and keep the carrier 12 closed. The locking members 18 may be snaps, hooks, strips of hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like.

A securing strip 30 is attached to the carrier 12 by attachment means 32 34 or by other suitable attachment means, such as glue, snips, hook-and-loop fasteners or the like. An opening 36 is formed adjacent one side 38 of the securing strip 30. An attachment member 40 is secured to the securing strip 30 through the opening 36. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the attachment member 40 is an elongated flexible non-resilient member bent into a loop, with the ends placed in the opening 36 and secured between the inner surface 15 of the carrier 12 and a back surface of the securing strip 30. Of course, other attachment means can be used, if desired.

A key holder member 50 is removably secured to the loop of the attachment member 40. The attachment member 40 forms a universal pivot for the key holder member 50, allowing it to freely rotate with the attachment member 40 in relation to the carrier body 12.

The key holder member comprises an elongated flexible, preferably non-stretchable body and a closing member 52. The closing member 52 comprises a pair of opposing portions 54, 55 that threadably engage together to close the loop formed by the key holder member 50. The loop formed by the key holder member 50 may be oval or circular and has a sufficient diameter that allows latch keys 60 to freely move on the key holder member 50 and rotate about an axis of the key holder member. The longitudinal axes of the latch key 60 can be oriented at any desired degree, for instance, 45°, 60°, or 180° in relation to the inner surface 15 of the carrier member 12.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the key holder member 50 comprises a flexible, non-stretchable core 56 substantially encased in a hollow sleeve 58. The core 56 can be made from a cable comprised of a plurality of individual wires twisted together to form a strong flexible body that is capable of retaining its shape under normal handling conditions. The sleeve 58 can be formed from a flexible, bendable material, such as for instance plastic with smooth outer exterior to prevent snagging or scratching by the sleeve 58. The key holder member can be shaped into a loop when the closure members 54, are secured together. The key holder member 50 is capable of retaining its loop-shaped shape/configuration without collapsing. The key holder member 50 is still flexible enough to be able to slightly flex when required.

The latch keys, as a general rule, have holes 61 in their bases, through which the key holder member 50 extends when the keys are secured to the key holder member 50. As shown in FIG. 1, the latch keys 60 are suspended on the key holder-member 50, while the carrier 12 is in its open position. Once the user finishes using the keys 60, the user can move the keys such that their fat faces lie against the inner surface 15 of the carrier 12. The ring formed by the key holder body 50 is pivoted and also lies flat against the inner surface 15 of the carrier 12. In this position, shown in FIG. 3, the latch keys 60 and the key holder member 50 ale substantially superimposed over the body of the carrier 12.

The user can fold the carrier 12 to substantially cover the latch keys and the ring 50 and secure the ends of the carrier with the snaps 18, 20. Preferably the lineal dimensions of the carrier backing 12 are sufficient to enclose the keys 60 and the key holder ring 50. Once closed, the key holder device 10 presents a compact appear-once allowing the user to place the device 10 in a pocket or purse without the danger of damaging pocket lining and purse lining.

Of course, if the carrier body 12 is made sufficiently large, the locking members 18 and 20 can be positioned on the back surface of the carrier body 12 and allow the carrier body to substantially envelope the keys and the key holder member.

It is noted that, when in the storage disposition, the keys 60 can lie side-by-side at an angle (for example fifteen degrees) to the base key holder member 50 with the keys in partial face-to-face engagement, as shown in FIG. 3, with the shanks of the keys extending from the key holder member 50 toward the attachment strip 30. The large loop formed by the key holder member 50 facilitates selection and use of the keys as needed. The cable wire material of the core 56 is rigid in the sense that it is at least self-supporting and retains a basic, set shape in use but can be flexed when needed.

Many changes and modifications can be made in the design and method of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. 1, therefore, pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A key holder device for holding one or more keys, having opening(s in them- at their bases, comprising: a flexible foldable carrier body having pre-determined lineal dimensions and an inner surface; a flexible key holder member capable of being formed into a loop-shaped form and capable of retaining the loop-shaped form without collapsing; and an attachment means for securing the key holder member to the carrier body while allowing free rotation of the key holder member in relation to the carrier body.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said attachment means comprises an attachment strip secured to the inner surface of the carrier body and a universal pivot member, positioned on said attachment strip, said pivot member carrying the key holder member.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said carrier body has pre-determined lineal dimensions sufficient to substantially enclose said key holder member and said one or more keys when positioned in a covering folded relationship over said key holder member and said one or more keys.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein a first locking member is positioned at a first end of the carrier body and a second locking member is positioned at a second end of tile carrier body, said first locking member and said second locking member comprise mutually engageable elements when the carrier body is folded to cover the key holder 44 member and said one or more keys.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said key holder member comprises a core and a sleeve substantially encasing said core, said sleeve having a substantially smooth outer surface.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein said key holder member comprises a pair of opposing securing members attached to opposite ends of the key holder member.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein said securing members are threadably engageable to each other.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein said key holder member is adapted for retaing said one or more keys when inserted through the openings formed in the key bases.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein said loop-shaped key holder member has a diameter sufficient to allow rotation of said one or more keys about an axis of the key holder member to any of selected degrees when said key holder member retains said one or more keys by being inserted thought the openings formed in the key bases.
 10. A key holder device for holding one or more keys, having openings in them at their bases, comprising: a flexible foldable carrier body having pre-determined lineal dimensions and an inner surface; a flexible key holder member capable of being formed into a loop-shaped form and capable of retaining the loop-shaped form without collapsing, said key holder member comprising a cable core, a sleeve substantially encasing said core, and a pair of securing members carried by opposing ends of the key holder member, said securing members being adapted for mutual engagement when forming a loop for retaining said one or more keys thereon; an attachment means for securing the key holder member to the carrier body while allowing free rotation of the key holder member in relation to the carrier body, said attachment means comprising an attachment strip secured to the inner surface of the carrier body and a universal pivot member positioned on said attachment strip, said pivot member carrying the key holder member.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein said loop-shaped key holder member has a diameter sufficient to allow rotation of said one or more keys about an axis of the key holder member to any of selected degrees when said key holder member retains said one or more keys by being inserted through the openings formed in the key bases.
 12. The device of claim 10, wherein said carrier body has pre-determined lineal dimensions sufficient to substantially enclose said key holder member and said one or more keys when positioned in a covering folded relationship over said key holder member and said one or more keys.
 13. A method of securing one or more latch keys having openings in their bases to a key holder, comprising: providing a flexible foldable carrier body having pre-determined lineal dimensions and an inner surface, a flexible key holder member capable of being formed into a loop-shaped form and capable of retaining the loop-shaped form without collapsing, and an attachment means for securing the key holder member to the carrier body; positioning one or more keys on said key holder member by inserting said key holder member through the openings in the bases of said one or more keys, while allowing free rotation of the key holder member in relation to the carrier body.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of sizing said loop-shaped key holder member with a diameter sufficient to allow rotation of said one or more keys about an axis of the key holder member to any of selected degrees when said key holder member retains said one or more keys.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein said key holder member comprises a cable core, a sleeve substantially encasing said core, and a pair of securing members carried by opposing ends of the key holder member, said securing members being adapted for mutual engagement when forming a loop for retaining said one or more keys thereon.
 16. The method of claim 13, providing a pair of locking members attached to opposing ends of the carrier body, said locking members being adapted for locking together after the carrier body is folded over the key holder member and said one or more keys. 